Mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to provide wireless communication; a touch screen having a front surface and curved surface extending from the front surface of the touch screen; and a controller configured to display an indicator informing an incoming call on the touch screen in response to receiving the incoming call, connect a call related to the incoming call, in response to an input for connecting the call related to the incoming call during displaying of the indicator informing the incoming call on the touch screen, display a first notification icon informing a missed call related to the incoming call at a first preset location on the curved surface of the touch screen if the input for connecting the call related to the incoming is not received, wherein the first notification icon is displayed after the indicator disappears from the touch screen, and display a first image including information related to the missed call on the touch screen in response to a first touch and drag from the first notification icon on the curved surface of the touch screen to the front surface of the touch screen. Further, the information related to the missed call includes at least one of a phone number or a name of a counterpart.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No.14/245,623, filed on Apr. 4, 2014, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(a) to Application No. 10-2013-0086958, filed in Korea on Jul. 23,2013, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference intothe present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and particularly, toa mobile terminal having a side display. A side display is used todescribe a display that is located on a side face of the terminal. Thiscan be in addition to a display located on, for example, the front face.

2. Background of the Disclosure

In general, a terminal may be classified into a mobile (portable)terminal and a stationary terminal according to a moveable state. Themobile terminal may be also classified into a handheld terminal and avehicle mount terminal according to a user's carriage method.

As functions of the terminal become more diversified, the terminal cansupport more complicated functions such as capturing images or video,reproducing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcastsignals, and the like. By comprehensively and collectively implementingsuch functions, the mobile terminal may be embodied in the form of amultimedia player or a device.

Various attempts have been made to implement complicated functions insuch a multimedia device by means of hardware or software. As oneexample, a user interface for allowing a user to easily and convenientlysearch for or select a function is being provided.

As the mobile terminal is regarded as a personal belonging to express auser's personality, various designs are required. The designs includestructural changes and improvements for allowing a user to moreconveniently use the mobile terminal.

As one of such structural changes and improvements, a side display and auser interface using the same may be considered.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide a mobileterminal capable of informing occurrence of an event using a sidedisplay.

Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a mobileterminal capable of providing new type of notification and inputfunctions differentiated from the conventional ones.

Still another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a methodfor controlling a mobile terminal, capable of outputting event-relatedinformation and controlling functions of the mobile terminal, throughcombination of a front display and a side display.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, thereis provided a mobile terminal, comprising: a body having a frontsurface, side surfaces and a rear surface; a display unit having a firstregion arranged on the front surface as the front display, and a secondregion arranged on a side surface and extending from the first region asthe side display; and a controller configured to output a notificationicon to the second region when an event occurs from at least oneapplication, the notification icon informing the occurrence of theevent, and configured to display information on the event on the firstregion when a touch input is applied to the notification icon.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second region may beprovided with a left region and a right region disposed at a left sidesurface and a right side surface of the mobile terminal respectively,and the notification icon may be output to at least one of the leftregion and the right region. If a drag input is applied to thenotification icon from one of the left region and the right region toanother, the information may be displayed on the first region. An image,of which size is gradually changed according to a path of the draginput, may be generated at the first region. The information may bedisplayed within the image.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the image may bedifferently processed according to a release point of the drag input.

In another embodiment of the present invention, if the drag input isconnected from one of the left region and the right region to another, aboundary of the image may be fixed to said another region. Informationdisplayed within the image may be controlled using a touch input appliedto the image, in a state where the boundary of the image is fixed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a length of thenotification icon may be variable according to an amount of informationrelated to the event.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first region may bedivided into a first part and a second part. Information on the eventmay be displayed on the first part, and a screen output to the firstregion before the touch input is applied may be continuously displayedon the second part. If an application different from the event-occurredapplication is driven in a state where the event-related information isdisplayed on the first part, an execution screen for the differentapplication may be output to the second part. The controller may sense acontrol command related to the information displayed on the first part,using a touch input applied to the second region.

In another embodiment of the present invention, if the event-relatedinformation is displayed on the first region, a scroll bar, which isconfigured to scroll the displayed information up and down, may begenerated on at least part of the second region.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal maycomprise a wireless communication unit mounted to the body andconfigured to receive wireless signals.

In another embodiment of the present invention, if an event occurs, forexample when a call signal is received through the wirelesscommunication unit, an indicator informing a user of the content of theevent, for example the reception of the call signal, may be output tothe second region, and the notification icon may be output if the eventis not checked, for example, the notification icon may inform that aresponse has not been made with respect to the call signal. Upondetection of a touch input to the second region while the indicator isoutput, the controller may perform a control related to the event, forexample a call connection. The indicator may move within the secondregion while the event occurs, for example, when the call signal isreceived, and may disappear when the notification icon is generated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, if a call signal isreceived through the wireless communication unit in a state where thefront surface is covered by another object and the display unit isdeactivated, the deactivated state of the display unit may bemaintained, and an indicator informing reception of the call signal maybe output to the second region.

In another embodiment of the present invention, if information isreceived through the wireless communication unit, at least part of thereceived information may be output to the second region.

If a control command for activating the display unit is input in a statewhere the second region has been touched, the controller may display thereceived information on the first region. Upon detection of touch inputsconsecutively applied to the second region with time intervals, thecontroller may update the information output to the second region.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda mobile terminal, comprising: a body having a front surface, sidesurfaces and a rear surface; a wireless communication unit mounted tothe body and configured to receive wireless signals; a display unithaving a first region arranged on the front surface, and a second regionarranged on a side surface and extending from the first region; and acontroller configured to output, to the second region, a notificationicon informing reception of the information, and configured to displaythe information on the first region when a touch input is applied to thenotification icon.

In a further aspect, there is provided a method for controlling a mobileterminal comprising a body having a front surface, side surfaces and arear surface; a display unit having a first region arranged on the frontsurface, and a second region arranged on a side surface and extendingfrom the first region, the method comprising the steps of: detectingthat an event has occurred from at least one application; outputting anotification icon indicating occurrence of the event to the secondregion of the display unit; detecting a touch input applied to thenotification icon; and outputting information related to the event tothe first region of the display unit.

Further scope of applicability of the present application will becomemore apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However,it should be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual view illustrating an operation implemented by amobile terminal of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of amobile terminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a mobileterminal according to the present invention;

FIGS. 5 to 9 are conceptual views illustrating operations implemented bythe mobile terminal of FIG. 3A, in which a status bar is controlledusing a touch input applied to a side display; and

FIGS. 10 to 13 are conceptual views illustrating a plurality ofembodiments related to reception of information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal of the present invention will beexplained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. Thesuffixes attached to components of the mobile terminal, such as ‘module’and ‘unit or portion’ were used for facilitation of the detaileddescription of the present invention. Therefore, the suffixes do nothave different meanings from each other.

The mobile terminal according to the present invention may include asmart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), anavigation system, etc.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 includes a radiocommunication unit 110, an A/V (Audio/Video) input unit 120, a userinput unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, aninterface unit 170, a controller 180, and a power supply unit 190. FIG.1 shows the mobile terminal 100 having various components, but it isunderstood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not arequirement. The mobile terminal 100 may be implemented by greater orfewer components.

Hereinafter, each of the above components will be explained.

The radio communication unit 110 typically includes one or morecomponents to authorize radio communication between the mobile terminal100 and a radio communication unit system or a network in which themobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the radio communicationunit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobilecommunication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short rangecommunication module 114, a location information module 115, etc.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managementserver (or other network entity) via a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and/or aterrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a serverfor generating broadcast signals and/or broadcast-related informationand transmitting them to the mobile terminal, or a server for receivinggenerated broadcast signals and/or is broadcast-related information andtransmitting them to the mobile terminal. The broadcast signal mayinclude a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a databroadcast signal, and the like. Also, the broadcast signal may furtherinclude a broadcast signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information may also be provided via a mobilecommunication network and, in this case, the broadcast associatedinformation may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast signal may exist in various forms. For example, it mayexist in the form of an electronic program guide (EPG) of digitalmultimedia broadcasting (DMB), electronic service guide (ESG) of digitalvideo broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to receive signalsbroadcast by using various types of broadcast systems. In particular,the broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a digital broadcast byusing a digital broadcast system such as multimediabroadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digital video broadcast-handheld(DVB-H), the data broadcasting system known as media forward link only(MediaFLO®), integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T),etc. The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitablefor every broadcast system that provides a broadcast signal as well asthe above-mentioned digital broadcast systems.

Broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting associated information receivedthrough the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives wireless signalsto/from at least one of network entities (e.g., base station, anexternal terminal, a server, etc.) on a mobile communication network.Here, the wireless signals may include audio call signal, video callsignal, or various formats of data according to transmission/receptionof text/multimedia messages.

The wireless internet module 113 supports wireless Internet access forthe mobile terminal. This module may be internally or externally coupledto the mobile terminal 100. Examples of such wireless Internet accessmay include Wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro),World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed DownlinkPacket Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short-range communication module 114 denotes a module forshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing thismodule may include BLUETOOTH, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID),Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZigBee, and thelike.

The position information module 115 denotes a module for sensing orcalculating a position of a mobile terminal. An example of the positioninformation module 115 may include a Global Position System (GPS)module. Referring to FIG. 1, the NV input unit 120 is configured toreceive an audio or video signal. The NV input unit 120 may include acamera 121, a microphone 122 or the like. The camera 121 processes imagedata of still pictures or video acquired by an image capture device in avideo capturing mode or an image capturing mode. The processed imageframes may be displayed on a display unit 151.

The image frames processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory160 or transmitted via the wireless communication unit 110. The camera121 may be provided in two or more according to the configuration of themobile terminal.

The microphone 122 may receive sounds (audible data) via a microphone ina phone call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and thelike, and can process such sounds into audio data. The processed audio(voice) data may be converted for output into a format transmittable toa mobile communication base station via the mobile communication module112 in case of the phone call mode. The microphone 122 may implementvarious types of noise canceling (or suppression) algorithms to cancel(or suppress) noise or interference generated in the course of receivingand transmitting audio signals.

The user input unit 130 may generate key input data from commandsentered by a user to control various operations of the mobilecommunication terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a keypad, adome switch, a touch pad (e.g., a touch sensitive member that detectschanges in resistance, pressure, capacitance, etc. due to beingcontacted) a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current status (or state) of the mobileterminal 100 such as an opened or closed state of the mobile terminal100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence ofuser contact with the mobile terminal 100, the orientation of the mobileterminal 100, an acceleration or deceleration movement and direction ofthe mobile terminal 100, etc., and generates commands or signals forcontrolling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, whenthe mobile terminal 100 is implemented as a slide type mobile phone, thesensing unit 140 may sense whether the slide phone is open or closed. Inaddition, the sensing unit 140 can detect whether or not the powersupply unit 190 supplies power or whether or not the interface unit 170is coupled with an external device. The sensing unit 140 may include aproximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is configured to provide outputs in a visual,audible, and/or tactile manner. The output unit 150 may include thedisplay unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, ahaptic module 154, and the like. The display unit 151 may displayinformation processed in the mobile terminal 100. For example, when themobile terminal 100 is in a phone call mode, the display unit 151 maydisplay a User Interface (UI) or a Graphic User Interface (GUI)associated with a call or other communication (such as text messaging,multimedia file downloading, etc.). When the mobile terminal 100 is in avideo call mode or image capturing mode, the display unit 151 maydisplay a captured image and/or received image, a UI or GUI that showsvideos or images and functions related thereto, and the like.

The display unit 151 may include at least one of a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD), an Organic LightEmitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a three-dimensional(3D) display, or the like.

Some of these displays may be configured to be transparent so thatoutside may be seen therethrough, which may be referred to as atransparent display. A representative example of the transparent displaymay include a Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED), and thelike. The rear surface portion of the display unit 151 may also beimplemented to be optically transparent. Under this configuration, auser can view an object positioned at a rear side of a body through aregion occupied by the display unit 151 of the body.

The display unit 151 may be implemented in two or more in numberaccording to a configured aspect of the mobile terminal 100. Forinstance, a plurality of displays may be arranged on one surfaceintegrally or separately, or may be arranged on different surfaces.

Here, if the display unit 151 and a touch sensitive sensor (referred toas a touch sensor) have a layered structure therebetween, the structuremay be referred to as a touch screen. The display unit 151 may be usedas an input device rather than an output device. The touch sensor may beimplemented as a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, and the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of a pressureapplied to a prescribed part of the display unit 151, or a capacitanceoccurring from a prescribed part of the display unit 151, into electricinput signals. Also, the touch sensor may be configured to sense notonly a touched position and a touched area, but also a touch pressure.

When touch inputs are sensed by the touch sensors, corresponding signalsare transmitted to a touch controller (not shown). The touch controllerprocesses the received signals, and then transmits corresponding data tothe controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 may sense whichregion of the display unit 151 has been touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be arranged at an innerregion of the mobile terminal blocked by the touch screen, or near thetouch screen. The proximity sensor 141 indicates a sensor to sensepresence or absence of an object approaching to a surface to be sensed,or an object disposed near a surface to be sensed, by using anelectromagnetic field or infrared rays without a mechanical contact. Theproximity sensor 141 has a longer lifespan and a more enhanced utilitythan a contact sensor.

The proximity sensor 141 may include a transmissive type photoelectricsensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric sensor, a mirrorreflective type is photoelectric sensor, a high-frequency oscillationproximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic typeproximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, and so on. When thetouch screen is implemented as a capacitance type, proximity of apointer to the touch screen is sensed by changes of an electromagneticfield. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be categorizedinto a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for the sake of brief explanation, a status that thepointer is positioned to be proximate onto the touch screen withoutcontact will be referred to as ‘proximity touch’, whereas a status thatthe pointer substantially comes in contact with the touch screen will bereferred to as ‘contact touch’. For the position corresponding to theproximity touch of the pointer on the touch screen, such positioncorresponds to a position where the pointer faces perpendicular to thetouch screen upon the proximity touch of the pointer.

The proximity sensor 141 senses proximity touch, and proximity touchpatterns (e.g., distance, direction, speed, time, position, movingstatus, etc.). Information relating to the sensed proximity touch andthe sensed proximity touch patterns may be output onto the touch screen.

An illumination sensor, a gyro sensor, etc. as well as the proximitysensor may be provided at the mobile terminal. The illumination sensoris configured to measure the amount of peripheral light, and the gyrosensor (called ‘acceleration sensor’) is configured to measure a movingspeed and a position of the mobile terminal.

The audio output module 152 may convert and output as sound audio datareceived from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in thememory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode, a record mode,a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like.Also, the audio output module 152 may provide audible outputs related toa particular function performed by the mobile terminal 100 (e.g., a callsignal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.). The audiooutput module 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and so on.

The alarm unit 153 may provide outputs to inform about the occurrence ofan event of the mobile terminal 100. Typical events may include callreception, message reception, key signal inputs, a touch input, etc. Inaddition to audio or video outputs, the alarm unit 153 may provideoutputs in a different manner to inform about the occurrence of anevent. The video signal or the audio signal may be output via thedisplay unit 151 or the audio output module 152. Accordingly, thedisplay unit 151 or the audio output module 152 may be classified aspart of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects which a user canfeel. A representative example of the tactile effects generated by thehaptic module 154 includes vibration. Vibration generated by the hapticmodule 154 may have a controllable intensity, a controllable pattern,and so on. For instance, different vibration may be output in asynthesized manner or in a sequential manner.

The haptic module 154 may generate various tactile effects, includingnot only vibration, but also arrangement of pins vertically moving withrespect to a skin being touched (contacted), air injection force or airsuction force through an injection hole or a suction hole, touch by askin surface, presence or absence of contact with an electrode, effectsby stimulus such as an electrostatic force, reproduction of cold or hotfeeling using a heat absorbing device or a heat emitting device, and thelike.

The haptic module 154 may be configured to transmit tactile effects(signals) through a user's direct contact, or a user's muscular senseusing a finger or a hand. The haptic module 154 may be implemented intwo or more in number according to the configuration of the mobileterminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the processing and control of thecontroller 180. Alternatively, the memory 160 may temporarily storeinput/output data (e.g., phonebook data, messages, still images, videoand the to like). Also, the memory 160 may store data relating tovarious patterns of vibrations and audio output upon the touch input onthe touch screen.

The memory 160 may be implemented using any type of suitable storagemedium including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimediacard micro type, a memory card type (e.g., SD or DX memory), RandomAccess Memory is (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-OnlyMemory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory(EEPROM), Programmable Read-only Memory (PROM), magnetic memory,magnetic disk, optical disk, and the like. Also, the mobile terminal 100may operate a web storage which performs the storage function of thememory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 may generally be implemented to interface themobile terminal with external devices. The interface unit 170 may allowa data reception from an external device, a power delivery to eachcomponent in the mobile terminal 100, or a data transmission from themobile terminal 100 to an external device. The interface unit 170 mayinclude, for example, wired/wireless headset ports, external chargerports, wired/wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for couplingdevices having an identification module, audio Input/Output (I/O) ports,video I/O ports, earphone ports, and the like.

The identification module may be configured as a chip for storingvarious information required to authenticate an authority to use themobile terminal 100, which may include a User Identity Module (UIM), aSubscriber Identity Module (SIM), a Universal Subscriber Identity Module(USIM), and the like. Also, the device having the identification module(hereinafter, referred to as ‘identification device’) may be implementedin a type of smart card. Hence, the identification device can be coupledto the mobile terminal 100 via a port.

Also, the interface unit 170 may serve as a path for power to besupplied from an external cradle to the mobile terminal 100 when themobile terminal 100 is connected to the external cradle or as a path fortransferring various command signals inputted from the cradle by a userto the mobile terminal 100. Such various command signals or powerinputted from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that themobile terminal 100 has accurately been mounted to the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operations of themobile terminal 100. For example, the controller 180 performs thecontrol and processing associated with telephony calls, datacommunications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 mayinclude a multimedia module 181 which provides multimedia playback. Themultimedia module 181 may be configured as part of the controller 180 oras a separate component.

The controller 180 can perform a pattern recognition processing so as torecognize writing or drawing input on the touch screen as text or image.

The power supply unit 190 serves to supply power to each component byreceiving external power or internal power under control of thecontroller 180.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium using, for example, software, hardware, or somecombination thereof.

For a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented within one or more of Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital SignalProcessing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, micro processors, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described herein, or a selective combinationthereof. In some cases, such embodiments are implemented by thecontroller 180.

For software implementation, the embodiments such as procedures andfunctions may be implemented together with separate software moduleseach of which performs at least one of functions and operations. Thesoftware codes can be implemented with a software application written inany suitable programming language. Also, the software codes may bestored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

The display unit 151 will be explained in more detail. In the presentinvention, the display unit 151 is formed on the side surfaces as wellas on the front surface. Under such configuration, the display unit canhave a larger screen. That is, the present invention provides a mobileterminal having a front display and a side display, and a new type ofuser interface using the same. Hereinafter, the front display, the sidedisplay, and operations implemented by the displays will be explained inmore detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual view illustrating an operation implemented by themobile terminal of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a display unit 251 is provided with a first region252 arranged on the front surface of the body, and a second region 253extending from the first region 252 and arranged on the side surfaces ofthe body (wherein the side surface may be defined as a surface of themobile terminal viewed from a lateral direction). The first region 252and the second region 253 display different types of information, andare provided with different types of user graphic interfaces (GUI).

The second region 253 is provided with a left region 253 a disposed on aleft side surface of the mobile terminal, and a right region 253 bdisposed on a right side surface of the mobile terminal. Under suchconfiguration, the second region 253 has a symmetric structure in rightand left directions based on the first region 252.

Referring to FIG. 2 (a), a home screen page may be output to the displayunit 251 of the mobile terminal. The home screen page may include atleast one object. The object may be an icon or a widget of anapplication installed at the mobile terminal. The home screen page maybe output to an entire region of the display unit 251 including thefirst region 252 and the second region 253.

If an event occurs from at least one application, the controlleroutputs, to the second region 253, a notification icon 261 informing theevent. However, the home screen page being output to the display unit251 is merely exemplary, and a graphic user interface (GUI) of anapplication being currently executed is output to the display unit 251.In this state, the event may occur.

The display unit 251 may be provided with a touch sensor for sensing atouch input, so that a touch input to the notification icon can besensed. The display unit 251 may output visual information implementedin the form of an image, a text, an icon, etc. And the display unit 251may be converted into a deactivated state, by input of a specificcontrol command or as time passes.

The notification icon 261 may be output to at least one of the leftregion 253 a and the right region 253 b. In this embodiment, thenotification icon 261 is disposed at the left region 253 a. Thenotification icon 261, which is a bar type is image long-formed alongthe side surface of the mobile terminal, may be displayed close to anupper end of the left region 253 a.

Referring to FIG. 2 (b), once a touch input is applied to thenotification icon 261, the controller displays information on the eventon the first region 252.

In this embodiment, the notification icon 261 indicates an incomingmessage. If a user applies a drag input to the notification icon 261,the controller outputs information on the event, to the first region252. The event-related information is at least part of a message, whichmay be output in the form of a preview.

An image 262, of which size is gradually changed according to a path ofthe drag input, is generated at the first region 252. At least part of amessage is displayed within the image 262. That is, information may beprovided as the image 262 is unfolded according to a drag input, andcontent of a message to be output gradually appears. More specifically,the image may have an effect that folded paper becomes unfoldedaccording to a drag input. The notification icon may move in associationwith the drag input.

Referring to FIG. 2 (c), if the drag input is released, theevent-related information disappears from the display unit 251. Forinstance, if a user's hand which is performing a drag input is detachedfrom the display unit 251, the image 262 gradually disappears withmoving to the left region. Under such configuration, information can bedisplayed for check of content, and then the information can disappearto be stored in the mobile terminal. This can allow a simple userinterface to be implemented.

In the conventional art, various types of notifications are implementedin a mixed manner. As a result, a user may have a difficulty in viewingthe screen, and it may take a lot of time to search requiredinformation. Further, as information is output to the entire screen in acovering manner, the user cannot view his or her task being currentlyperformed. However, in this embodiment, such problems are solved.

The mobile terminal may provide information to a user in a novel manner,by controlling the side display.

Hereinafter, a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal whichperforms the operation of FIG. 2 will be explained in more detail. FIG.3A is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a mobileterminal according to the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a rearperspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 3A.

The mobile terminal 200 according to the present invention is a bar typemobile terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this,but may be applied to a slide type in which two or more bodies arecoupled to each other so as to perform a relative motion, a folder type,or a swing type, a swivel type and the like.

A body of the mobile terminal 200 comprises a case (casing, housing,cover, etc.). In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a frontcase 201 and a rear case 202 (refer to FIGS. 3a and 3b ). A space formedby the front case 201 and the rear case 202 may accommodate variouscomponents therein. At least one intermediate case may further bedisposed between the front case 201 and the rear case 202.

Such cases may be formed by injection-molded synthetic resin, or may beformed using a metallic material such as stainless steel (STS) ortitanium (Ti).

A display unit 251, an audio output module 252, a camera module 221,etc. may be disposed at the front body, mainly at the front case 201. Aninterface 270, etc. may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case201 and the rear case 202. The display unit 251 occupies most of a mainsurface of the front case 201.

That is, the display unit 251 is disposed on the front surface of themobile terminal, and is configured to display visual information. In thepresent invention, the display unit 251 is formed on the side surfacesas well as on the front surface. More specifically, the display unit 251is provided with a first region 252 arranged on the front surface of thebody, and a second region 253 extending from the first region 252 andarranged on the side surfaces of the body.

For instance, a window arranged on an upper surface of the display unit251 has its two side surfaces bent. Under such configuration, theappearance of the front surface and the side surfaces of the body isdetermined by the window. The first region 252 and the second region 253may be connected to each other without a boundary therebetween. In thiscase, the display unit 251 may be provided with a display bent andmounted in the mobile terminal in correspondence to the window.

As another example, the display unit 251 may be a flexible display. Theflexible display includes a display bent, twisted, folded and rolled upby an external force. The flexible display may include a generalflexible display and electronic paper.

The general flexible display indicate a light-weighted and unbreakabledisplay fabricated on a thin and flexible substrate which can be bent orfolded like paper, while maintaining characteristics of the conventionalflat display.

Electronic paper is a display technique using characteristics of generalink, which may be different from a general flat display in thatreflected light is used. The electronic paper may change images or textsby twisting balls, or an electrophoresis using capsules.

The body, where two side surfaces of the display unit are bent, can beimplemented by the flexible characteristics.

The audio output unit 252 and the camera module 221 may be disposed at aregion adjacent to one end of the display unit 251, and a front userinput unit (not shown) and a microphone 222 may be disposed at a regionadjacent to another end of the display unit 251.

The front user input unit, an example of the user input unit 130 (referto FIG. 1) may include a plurality of manipulation units. Themanipulation units may be referred to as manipulating portions, and mayinclude any type of manipulation units that can be manipulated by a userin a tactile manner.

The display unit 251 may form a touch screen together with a touchsensor. In this case, the touch screen may be implemented as a userinput unit. Under such configuration, a front user input unit may not beprovided on the front surface of the mobile terminal. In this case, themobile terminal may be configured so that an input to the body can beperformed only through the display unit 251 and a rear user input unit232 to be explained later.

Referring to FIG. 3b , a camera module 221′ may be additionally providedon the rear case 202. The camera module 221′ faces a direction which isopposite to a direction faced by the camera module 221 (refer to FIG. 3a), and may have different pixels from those of the camera module 221.

For example, the camera module 221 may operate with relatively lowerpixels (lower resolution). Thus, the camera module 221 may be usefulwhen a user can capture his face and send it to another party during avideo call or the like. On the other hand, the camera module 221′ mayoperate with a relatively higher pixels (higher resolution) such that itcan be useful for a user to obtain higher quality pictures for lateruse. The camera modules 221 and 221′ may be installed at the body so asto rotate or pop-up.

A flash and a mirror may be additionally disposed close to the cameramodule 221′. The flash operates in conjunction with the camera module221′ when taking a picture using the camera module 221′. The mirror cancooperate with the camera module 221′ to allow a user to photographhimself in a self-portrait mode.

An audio output unit (not shown) may be additionally arranged on a rearsurface of the body. The audio output unit disposed on the rear surfaceof the body may implement a stereo function, together with the audiooutput unit 252 (refer to FIG. 3a ) disposed on the front surface of thebody. And the audio output unit disposed on the rear surface of the bodymay be configured to operate as a speakerphone during a call.

That is, a first audio output unit 252 configured as a receiver may beformed on the front surface, and a second audio output unit configuredas a speaker may be formed on the rear surface. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this. That is, the second audio output unitmay be provided on a side surface of the mobile terminal.

A power supply unit 290 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 200is mounted to the body. The power supply unit 290 may be mounted in thebody, or may be detachably mounted to the body.

A rear user input unit 232 may be disposed on the rear surface of thebody. The rear user input unit 232 may be disposed below the cameramodule 221′.

The rear user input unit 232 is manipulated to input various commandsfor controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 200. For instance,the rear user input unit 232 is configured to input commands such asPOWER ON/OFF, START, END and SCROLL, commands for controlling a level ofsound outputted from the audio output module 252, or commands forconverting the current mode of the display unit 251 to a touchrecognition mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this.That is, the mobile terminal may be provided with only one of the frontuser input unit and the rear user input unit 232.

As aforementioned, the controller 180 can generate a control signalrelated to an event generated from an application, using the sidesurfaces of the display unit.

Hereinafter, will be explained a method for controlling a mobileterminal, capable of outputting event-related information andcontrolling functions of the mobile terminal, through combination of thefront surface and the side surfaces of the display unit. FIG. 4 is aflowchart illustrating a method for controlling a mobile terminalaccording to the present invention.

Firstly, the controller detects that an event has occurred from at leastone application (S100).

The application means all types of programs which can operate in themobile terminal, which comprises a concept of a widget, a home launcher,etc. Therefore, the application may be a program which performs webbrowsing, reproduction of moving images, transmission/reception ofmessages, schedule management and application update.

An event may occur in a case where there is a missed call, there is anapplication to be updated, there is an incoming message, a chargingoperation is performed, power of the mobile terminal is turned on oroff, or an LCD awake key is pressed (LCD awake key). The event may be analarm, an Incoming call, a missed notification, etc.

As another example, in a case where specific information is receivedthrough the wireless communication unit of the mobile terminal, thismeans occurrence of an event on an application related to the specificinformation. In this case, the controller senses the occurrence of theevent. In a case where a user has input an item on a schedule managementapplication, if the current date corresponds to the item, an eventoccurs.

Then, the controller outputs a notification icon indicating occurrenceof an event, to the side surfaces of the display unit (S200).

The display unit of the mobile terminal may be divided into a firstregion arranged on the front surface of the body, and a second regionextending from the first region and arranged on the side surfaces of thebody. The side display corresponds to the second region. The secondregion is provided with a left region and a right region disposed on aleft side surface and a right side surface of the mobile terminal,respectively. The notification icon is output to at least one of theleft region and the right region.

The notification icon 261 may be a bar type image displayed along theside surface of the mobile terminal, and may include different imagesaccording to a type of an event-occurred application. As anotherexample, the notification icon 261 may include different imagesaccording to an event type, or according to the amount of event-relatedinformation. The different images indicate images different from eachother in shape, length, color, etc.

Then, the controller senses a touch input applied to the notificationicon 261 (S300). To this end, the second region is configured as a touchscreen.

In response to the touch input, the controller outputs informationrelated to the event to the front display (first region) (S400). Forinstance, the event may be reception of messages, and the informationmay be content of a message. Alternatively, the event may be anotification of a schedule set in a schedule management application, andthe information may be detailed information of a set schedule. Stillalternatively, the event may be occurrence of an application to beupdated, and the information may be detailed information of anapplication to be updated.

In this case, a different control may be performed according to a typeof the touch input. For instance, if a short-touch input is applied tothe notification icon, a message may be updated. On the other hand, if along-touch input is applied to the notification icon, the notificationicon may be deleted. In this embodiment, if a drag input is applied tothe notification icon, the event-related information is displayed on thefirst region.

Then, the controller processes output of the event-related informationdifferently according to a release point of a drag input (S500).

For instance, an image, of which size is gradually changed according toa path of the drag input, is generated at the first region. Theinformation is displayed within the image. And the image is differentlyprocessed according to a release point of the drag input. The image maybe a status bar, or a screen for executing a specific function (e.g.,connection of a call signal).

More specifically, if the drag input is released within the firstregion, the image and the information may disappear from the displayunit. On the other hand, if the drag input is released on the rightregion after being connected to the right region from the left region,the image and the information are continuously output.

In a state where the output of the image and the information ismaintained, a new control command may be performed according to a touchinput. For instance, information to be output may be changed accordingto a flicking input applied to the image. The information to be outputmay correspond to events which have occurred sequentially, respectively.

The method for controlling a mobile terminal according to the presentinvention may be embodied in various manners as shown in FIGS. 5 to 13.In the following embodiment, components having the same or similarconfiguration as/to those of the aforementioned embodiment will beprovided with the same or similar reference numerals, and explanationsthereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 5 to 9 are conceptual views illustrating operations implemented bythe mobile terminal of FIG. 3A, in which a status bar is controlledusing a touch to input applied to a side display.

Referring to FIG. 5, notification icons may be generated in the order ofoccurrence of events, and may disappear after being checked by a user.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 5 (a), when events have occurred onapplications, notification icons informing the occurrence of the eventsare sequentially output in the order of occurrence of events. As anexample, a first notification icon 261 a, a second notification icon 261b and a third notification icon 261 c are arranged in a lengthwisedirection of the mobile terminal.

In this case, each notification icon may be an icon which represents acategory. For instance, the first notification icon 261 a may be an iconcorresponding to a category related to message reception, and the secondnotification icon 261 b may be an icon corresponding to a categoryrelated to schedule management. And the third notification icon 261 cmay be an icon corresponding to a category related to applicationupdate. As messages are assorted by category, a user can viewnotifications of only desired applications at one time.

If there is an incoming message in a state where the second notificationicon 261 b and the third notification icon 261 c have been output to thesecond region 253, the first notification icon 261 a indicating anincoming message is output to the second region 253. In this case, asshown in FIG. 5 (b), the second notification icon 261 b and the thirdnotification icon 261 c move downward in a lengthwise direction of themobile terminal. That is, the notification icon disposed on theuppermost side of the mobile terminal informs a recently-occurred event.

In this embodiment, can be solved the conventional problem that anapplication should be executed in order to check the previousnotification because a new notification has covered the previousnotification.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. As anotherexample, the first notification icon 261 a, the second notification icon261 b and the third notification icon 261 c may be output to presetpositions in the order of occurrence of events.

As shown in FIG. 5 (c), if a user applies a drag input to the firstnotification icon 261 a to check event-related information displayed inan image 262, and then if the user releases the drag input, the firstnotification icon 261 a disappears as shown FIG. 5 (d). In this case,the image 262 may be a status bar.

Positions of the second notification icon 261 b and the thirdnotification icon 261 c are determined as the second notification icon261 b associated with the recent icon moves toward the uppermost side ofthe mobile terminal. That is, the second notification icon 261 b isarranged on the uppermost side of the mobile terminal, and the thirdnotification icon 261 c is arranged below the second notification icon261 b.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 6, as a release point of a draginput is changed, event-related information may not disappear but may becontinuously output to the screen.

For instance, if a drag input is connected from one of the left region253 a and the right region 253 b to another, a boundary of the image isfixed to said another region. In a state where the boundary of the imageis fixed, information displayed within the image is controlled using atouch input applied to the image.

More specifically, in a state where the notification icon has beenoutput (refer to FIG. 6 (a)), if a drag input is connected from the leftregion 253 a to the right region 253 b and then is released on the rightregion 253 b as shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and (c), output of an image andinformation (message content in the status bar in this embodiment) ismaintained. That is, the status bar covers a display region between theleft region 253 a and the right region 253 b in a widthwise direction ofthe mobile terminal. And the notification icon 261 moves from the leftregion 253 a to the right region 253 b to thus be positioned on theright region 253 b.

That is, if a drag input is performed up to the end of the screen, amessage does not disappear. Under such configuration, a stickerfunction, by which a user can use a related application in a state wherethe status bar is fixed, can be implemented.

The sticker function may be released by a drag input performed inanother direction as shown in FIG. 6 (d). For instance, if a userapplies a drag input from the right region 253 b to the left region 253a, the status bar moves toward the left region 253 a to thus graduallydisappear. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Forinstance, the sticker function may be released by other touch input,e.g., a consecutive touch input, etc.

The sticker function may be utilized as various control methods, whichwill be explained in more detail. FIGS. 7 to 9 are conceptual viewsillustrating various examples of a sticker function.

Referring to FIGS. 7 (a) and (b), in a state where output of an imageand information (message content in the status bar in this embodiment)is maintained, the image and the information are moved by a user'sup-down drag applied to the notification icon.

That is, the image is moved by a drag input applied to the notificationicon in a direction perpendicular to the drag input for unfolding theimage. In this case, the rest notification icons move along the image. Apoint where the user's drag input is released is a final position of theimage in upper and lower directions.

Referring to FIG. 7 (c), if a flicking input is applied up and down in astate where the status bar has been fixed to the screen, a full messagecan be checked in a scrolling manner. In this case, the image 262 foroutputting the first message is changed into an image 264 for outputtinga second message.

As another example, a scroll bar may be created, or the length of animage may be controlled by a drag input. The length of the notificationicon may be variable according to the amount of the event-relatedinformation.

For instance, if event-related information is displayed on the firstregion 252, a scroll bar for moving the displayed information up anddown may be generated on at least part of the second region 253.

Under such configuration, a user can check all contents even if a mark“READ” is not displayed on a messenger application. Referring to FIG. 7(b), after an image is moved up and down, a flicking input is performed.However, the present invention is not limited to this. For instance, theoperation to move an image up and down shown in FIG. 7 (b) can bedeleted in this embodiment. The operation to move an image up and down,the scrolling, etc. may be a control operation added to theaforementioned embodiment or the following embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7 (d), a scrolling operation in right and leftdirections can be performed. In this case, if a user applies a flickingoperation right and left in a state where the status bar has been fixedto the screen, received messages may be output sequentially. Under suchconfiguration, a user can check previous messages. In this case, theimage 264 for outputting the second message may be changed into an image265 for outputting a third message has been output.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a lower screen can be utilized when asticker function is executed.

For instance, the first region 252 is divided into a first part and asecond part. Information on the event is displayed on the first part,and a screen output to the first region 252 before the touch input isapplied is continuously displayed on the second part. If an applicationdifferent from an event-occurred application is driven in a state wherethe event-related information is displayed on the first part, anexecution screen for the different application may be output to thesecond part. The controller senses a control command related to theinformation displayed on the first part, using a touch input applied tothe second region 253.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, a lower screen is configured sothat a touch input can be executed in a state where an image has beenfixed. In this state, if a user touches an icon of an application on ahome screen page, the application is executed.

FIG. 8A illustrates a case where a schedule management application isexecuted. As a schedule management application is executed, an executionscreen is output to the lower screen in a state where an image has beenfixed. More specifically, in a case where a schedule is included inmessage content, if a user touches an icon of a schedule managementapplication for driving, the schedule can be input to the executionscreen. In this case, the image is a transparent image, and theexecution screen is overlapped with the image. Even if part of theexecution screen for the schedule management application is viewed, atouch input with respect to the image may be defined as a controlcommand with respect to the image.

As another example, a result of a control command with respect to theimage may be used to control the execution screen. Referring to FIG. 8B,in a state where the image has been fixed, a mobile banking is driven,and content may be input to an execution screen of an application basedon information output to the image. More specifically, at least part ofoutput information may be copied by a user's touch input. For instance,if a user applies a long-touch input to an output text or number, thetext or number is copied. Then, if the user applies a long-touch inputto an execution screen, a paste function is performed. The long-touchinput may be performed on an activated part of the execution screen.

Under such configuration, a copy-paste function can be performed betweenthe status bar and the main screen. Further, in a case where a userperforms other operation with viewing a message, the current applicationneeds not be converted, and a text, an image, etc. of the status bar canbe immediately moved to the execution screen of the application.

FIG. 9 is a view showing another control method of a mobile terminal, inwhich messages are managed at one time by category.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), if a user drags a notification icon up to theend of the screen, the status bar is fixed to the screen withoutdisappearing. In this case, a mark ‘X’ is generated. If the mark ‘X’ istouched, a specific message is deleted. More specifically, when an imageis fixed to the screen, a specific icon is generated. If a touch inputis applied to the specific icon, a corresponding message is deleted. Inthis case, the image is continuously fixed to the screen, and the nextmessage is output.

As another example, if the right region 253 b is double-tapped, all ofaccumulated messages disappear. More specifically, a consecutive touchis applied to a notification icon of the right region 253 b, all ofaccumulated messages disappear. In this case, a user can delete all ofmessages at one time by category.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. For instance,specific notifications such as application update notifications may bedeleted at one time. More specifically, messages may be deleted one byone, whereas application update notifications may be deleted at onetime. In this case, a deletion command may be a double tap on the rightregion 253 b, or a touch input to a specific icon.

The side display of the present invention can be effectively used evenin a case where specific information has been received through awireless communication unit. This will be explained in more detail.FIGS. 10 to 13 are conceptual views illustrating various embodimentsrelated to reception of information.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual view illustrating a driving of a side displaywhen a call signal is received.

Referring to FIG. 10, if a call signal is received while an applicationis driven, information on the call signal is displayed on the secondregion 253. More specifically, referring to FIG. 10 (a), if anapplication related to reproduction of moving images is executed, anexecution screen related to reproduction of moving images is output tothe first region 252 and the second region 253.

If a call signal is received under such state, an indicator 263informing reception of the call signal is output to the second region253 as shown in FIG. 10 (b). The indicator 263 may be information onanother party's mobile terminal which has transmitted the call signal,e.g., a phone number or another party's name.

The indicator 263 moves within the second region 253 while the callsignal is received, and disappears when a notification icon isgenerated.

For instance, information on another party's mobile terminal isdisplayed on the second region 253 in a scrolling manner. Theinformation on another party's mobile terminal may be displayed withmoving toward a lower side from an upper side of the screen, or towardan upper side from a lower side of the screen.

The display by scrolling may be consecutive from the left region 253 ato the right region 253 b. For instance, information on another party'smobile terminal may be scrolled on the left region 253 a, toward a lowerside from an upper side of the screen. Then, the information may bescrolled on the right region 253 b, toward an upper side from a lowerside of the screen.

As shown in FIG. 10 (c), if a user does not respond to a call signal, anotification icon 261 informing a missed call is output to the secondregion 253. Under such configuration, the user can recognize a missedcall.

If a drag input is applied to the notification icon 261, a status barmay be output to the first region 252 like in the aforementionedembodiment, and information on another party's mobile terminal may beoutput to the status bar.

Referring to FIG. 11, if a touch input to the second region 253 isdetected while the indicator 263 is output, the controller performs acontrol related to an incoming call.

While information on another party's mobile terminal is scrolled to thesecond region 253 as shown in FIG. 11 (b), if a drag input or a flickinginput is applied to the second region 253 in one direction as shown inFIGS. 11 (c) and (d), an incoming call may be connected. At the sametime, an execution screen for connection to the incoming call may beoutput to the first region 252.

As another example, if a drag input or a flicking input is applied tothe second region 253 in another direction, a control commandinstructing a connection refusal (i.e., call disconnection) is input.Information is output to the second region 253, and a call connection ora call disconnection is performed according to a direction of a touchinput applied to the second region 253. Under such configuration, a usercan determine whether to receive a call or not while performing thecurrent operation.

In this embodiment, if there is an incoming call while a usermanipulates his or her smart phone, the user can check the incoming callthrough a side display. The user can perform a call connection or a calldisconnection through flicking in or flicking out.

In the present invention, even in a state where the mobile terminal isturned inside out, a call refusal (call disconnection) may be easilyperformed. This will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG.12.

In this embodiment, the display unit is operated differently accordingto whether the mobile terminal is in a first state, a second state or athird state.

The first state indicates a state where the front surface of the mobileterminal is toward the upper side, and the second state indicates astate where the rear surface of the mobile terminal is toward the upperside. On the other hand, the third state indicates a state where thebody of the mobile terminal is covered by an additional case (pouch),etc.

The determination, on whether the mobile terminal is in the first state,the second state or the third state, may be performed throughcombination of at least two of a proximity sensor, an illuminationsensor and a gyro sensor.

FIG. 12 shows operations of the mobile terminal in the second state andthe third state. In a state where the front surface of the mobileterminal is covered by another object and the display unit isdeactivated, if a call signal is received through the wirelesscommunication unit, the deactivated state of the display unit ismaintained. At the same time, the indicator 263 informing reception ofthe call signal is output to the second region 253.

The indicator may be information on another party's mobile terminal, orlighting information. Under such configuration, if there is an incomingcall in a state where the mobile terminal is turned inside out, a usercan check the incoming call through a side display.

If a user applies a touch input to the second region 253, a controlcommand instructing a connection refusal (call disconnection) is input.The touch input may be a long-touch input, a short-touch input, aflicking input, a drag input, etc. In case of a drag input, a controlcommand instructing a call connection or a call refusal may be performedaccording to a direction of the drag input.

In the present invention, a function to view recent information withoutinfluencing on the main screen can be performed. FIG. 13 is a conceptualview illustrating such function.

Referring to FIG. 13 (a), in a case where the front surface of themobile terminal is covered by a pouch, the controller senses the coveredstate. If information 266 is received through the wireless communicationunit under such state, at least part of the received information 266 isoutput to the second region 253. If a control command has not been inputby a user, the received information 266 disappears and a notificationicon 261 is output like in the aforementioned embodiment.

If a control command for activating the display unit is input in a statewhere the second region 253 has been touched, the controller may displaythe received information on the first region 252. For instance, if thepouch is open in a state where the second region 253 has been touched,the mobile terminal senses the open state to thus display the receivedinformation on the first region 252.

Referring to FIG. 13 (b), upon detection of touch inputs consecutivelyapplied to the second region 253 with time intervals, the controllerupdates information output to the second region 253.

More specifically, information such as a news and a weather is output toa side display, and the information is updated to recent informationwhenever the side display is tapped. That is, widgets such as a news anda weather, which need to be updated periodically, are displayed on theside surfaces. If the side surfaces are tapped for update, newinformation can be displayed without influencing on the main screen.

The present invention can have the following advantages.

Firstly, as the front display and the side display interwork with eachother, a new type of user interface can be provided.

Secondly, as an operation to notify occurrence of an event or anoperation to output detailed information is controlled using the sidedisplay of the mobile terminal, information can be provided to a userregardless of a status of the mobile terminal.

Thirdly, information on an occurred event can be provided in variousmanners, even in a deactivated state of the front display.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be considered as limiting the present invention. The presentteachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Thisdescription is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scopeof the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods,and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described hereinmay be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternativeexemplary embodiments.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fallwithin the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metesand bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a wirelesscommunication unit configured to provide wireless communication; a touchscreen having a front surface and curved surface extending from thefront surface of the touch screen; and a controller configured to:display an indicator informing an incoming call on the touch screen inresponse to receiving the incoming call, connect a call related to theincoming call, in response to an input for connecting the call relatedto the incoming call during displaying of the indicator informing theincoming call on the touch screen, display a first notification iconinforming a missed call related to the incoming call at a first presetlocation on the curved surface of the touch screen if the input forconnecting the call related to the incoming is not received, wherein thefirst notification icon is displayed after the indicator disappears fromthe touch screen, and display a first image including informationrelated to the missed call on the touch screen in response to a firsttouch and drag from the first notification icon on the curved surface ofthe touch screen to the front surface of the touch screen, wherein theinformation related to the missed call includes at least one of a phonenumber or a name of a counterpart.
 2. The mobile terminal of claim 1,wherein if the front surface of the touch screen is covered, theindicator is displayed on the curved surface of the touch screen inresponse to receiving the incoming call.
 3. The mobile terminal of claim2, wherein at least part of the front surface of the touch screen isdeactivated while the front surface of the touch screen is covered andthe indicator is displayed on the curved surface of the touch screen. 4.The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the deactivated state of thefront surface of the touch screen is maintained while the incoming callis received and the front surface of the touch screen is covered.
 5. Themobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the indicator comprises informationrelated to the counterpart.
 6. The mobile terminal of claim 2, whereinthe indicator moves within the curved surface while the incoming call isreceived.
 7. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the indicatorincludes a light.
 8. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the firstimage is displayed on the front surface of the touch screen at alocation corresponding to the first notification icon on the curvedsurface.
 9. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller isfurther configured to: sense an occurrence of a second event, anddisplay a second notification icon informing the second event at secondpreset location on the curved surface of the touch screen, wherein thefirst notification icon and the second notification icon are displayedtogether on the curved surface of the touch screen while a home screenpage is displayed on the front and curved surfaces of the touch screen.10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to display a second image including information related tothe second event on the touch screen in response to a second touch anddrag from the second notification icon on the curved surface to thefront surface of the touch screen.
 11. The mobile terminal of claim 10,wherein the first and second images are independently displayed fromeach other, in response to the first and second touch and drag,respectively.
 12. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the first andsecond notification icons include a bar type image displayed on thecurved surface of the touch screen and extending along the curvedsurface of the touch screen, and wherein the bar type image of the firstnotification icon has a first color and the bar type image of the secondnotification icon has a second color different from the first color. 13.The mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to only display the first image including the firstinformation related to the missed call in response to the first touchand drag and to only display the second image including the informationrelated to the second event in response to the second touch and drag.14. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to display status information on the touch screen includingone or more graphic objects indicating at least one remaining batterylife, signal strength, current time and an occurrence of an event. 15.The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the touch screen has a lengththat is longer than its width, and wherein the one or more graphicobjects are displayed along a widthwise direction and the first andsecond notification icons are arranged in a lengthwise direction. 16.The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the curved surface includes aleft curved surface and a right curved surface at both sides of touchscreen, and wherein the indicator and the first notification icon aredisplayed on at least one of the left curved surface and the rightcurved surface.
 17. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein a size ofthe first image is gradually changed according to a path of the firsttouch and drag.
 18. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein the firstimage is generated at the front surface of the touch screen as the firsttouch and drag moves in the path from the curved surface to the frontsurface of the touch screen.
 19. The mobile terminal of claim 18,wherein the controller is further configured to vary the processing ofthe first image based on a release point of the first touch and drag.